Universal Studios vs Disney World: Which Is Best For Your Family?

Are you debating one of the biggest questions possible for planning your Central Florida vacation? Between Universal Studios vs Disney World, which Theme Park Is Right for Your Family?

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Many families debate that exact thing, and it makes sense because it’s easy to be torn between Universal Studios vs Disney World when you aren’t aware of all the differences. These two iconic destinations offer incredible experiences, but they cater to slightly different audiences. This guide will show you a full breakdown of what each company has to offer, so you can make the best choice for your family.

Before we dive into the two areas, I want to point out that while many families plan to visit both parks during one trip, unless you are visiting for more than a full week, I don’t recommend it. The parks are meant to be an immersive experience, and they aren’t exactly around the corner from each other. To get the most of each park, I highly recommend opting for one location between Universal Studios vs Disney World per trip. 

Time to dive into what each park area has to offer and how to determine the best option for your family! 

The Parks

The two park areas I will highlight are Walt Disney World in and Universal Studios, both in Orlando, Florida. Not to be confused with Disneyland and Universal Studios Hollywood, which are both in California. 

While this section is listed as “The Parks” both are far more than “just parks”. Between the shopping experiences, the resorts, the water parks and more, Universal Studios and Disney World are full properties with acres of experiences for your family to enjoy. 

Let’s Chat About The Walt Disney World Resort Property 

Each Disney park has a different theme, and I consider Magic Kingdom and Epcot to be full days, while Animal Kingdom and Hollywood Studios are usually half day parks. But that leaves time to explore the resorts! 

Disney World consists of four main parks:

• Magic Kingdom: The quintessential Disney experience with Cinderella’s Castle, classic rides like “It’s a Small World,” and fireworks that light up the night sky.
• EPCOT: A mix of futuristic attractions and cultural experiences in the World Showcase, perfect for families who enjoy food, technology, and travel.
• Disney’s Hollywood Studios: Home to “Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge,” “Toy Story Land,” and thrilling rides like the “Twilight Zone Tower of Terror.”
• Disney’s Animal Kingdom: Combines the wonder of a zoo with rides like “Expedition Everest” and the stunning “Avatar Flight of Passage.”

Disney World also has two water parks, Blizzard Beach (themed like Frozen) and Typhoon Lagoon (themed like a shipwreck), which are great for cooling off in Florida’s heat.

Recent and Upcoming Updates To Disney World

• Tiana’s Bayou Adventure: Splash Mountain is being reimagined with a “Princess and the Frog” theme, set to open in 2024. 
• EPCOT Transformation: World Celebration and World Nature areas are officially complete, including the addition of the Moana-inspired “Journey of Water” attraction.
• TRON Lightcycle / Run: A thrilling coaster in Magic Kingdom’s Tomorrowland debuted in 2023.
• New Rides & Lands Shows: Walt Disney World is making major updates to the lands within their parks. Encanto will be making it’s way to Animal Kingdom, Villians Land will be coming to Magic Kingdom, and a fun, fast-paced Monsters Inc ride will be added to Hollywood Studios. 

Let’s Chat About Universal Studios Orlando Property

The Universal parks are a bit smaller, so you could have time to head back to the resort or explore Universal Citywalk during the day. 

Universal has three parks, with a fourth new park opening in May 2025:

• Universal Studios Florida: Features immersive movie-themed attractions like “Despicable Me Minion Mayhem” and “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley.”
• Islands of Adventure: Known for its thrilling roller coasters, Marvel Super Hero Island, and “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade.”
• Volcano Bay Water Park: A tropical-themed water park with innovative attractions like the Krakatau Aqua Coaster.

Recent and Upcoming Updates Universal Studios Orlando

• Epic Universe: Universal’s newest theme park is under construction, with a planned opening in 2025. It will feature Super Nintendo World, Universal Monsters, and more.
• DreamWorks Land: Fan-favorite movies like Sherk and Kung Fu Panda have been added to Universal in their own area of the park. 
• VelociCoaster: Universal’s thrilling Jurassic World-themed coaster opened in 2021.
• Seasonal Enhancements: Universal continues to expand its Halloween Horror Nights and Grinchmas offerings.

The Rides

Disney World Rides

Disney rides are designed with families in mind, offering a mix of thrills and gentle attractions. Iconic options include:

• Magic Kingdom: Pirates of the Caribbean, Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, Dumbo, and The Tomorrowland: People Mover, to name a few. 
• EPCOT: Soarin’ Around the World, Test Track, and the new Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind.
• Hollywood Studios: Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run, Slinky Dog Dash, and Rise of the Resistance.
• Animal Kingdom: Kilimanjaro Safaris, Avatar Flight of Passage, and Dinosaur.

Check out the full list of Magic Kingdom rides, attractions and experiences for toddlers!

Universal Studios Orlando Rides

Universal is known for its more intense rides and attractions, but there are plenty of family-friendly options, too. Highlights include:

• Universal Studios Florida: Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts, The Simpsons Ride, and E.T. Adventure.
• Islands of Adventure: Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure, The Incredible Hulk Coaster, and Jurassic Park River Adventure.
• Volcano Bay: Family raft rides and a variety of thrilling water slides.

Food Options at Universal Studios and Disney World

Dining at Disney World 

Disney is a foodie’s paradise, offering everything from quick-service meals to fine dining experiences. Highlights include:

• Character Dining: Enjoy meals with Disney characters at spots like Cinderella’s Royal Table or Chef Mickey’s.
• EPCOT’s World Showcase: Explore international cuisines, from French pastries to Japanese sushi.
• Themed Dining: Dine in immersive settings like “Be Our Guest” in Magic Kingdom or “Oga’s Cantina” in Hollywood Studios.

Dining in Universal Studios Orlando

Universal also has great dining options, though the focus is more on immersive, themed experiences:

• The Wizarding World of Harry Potter: Sip on Butterbeer or enjoy a meal at the Leaky Cauldron or Three Broomsticks.
• CityWalk: A dining and entertainment district with restaurants like Toothsome Chocolate Emporium and Voodoo Doughnut.
• Themed Restaurants: Enjoy meals at places like “Mythos” in Islands of Adventure or the “Lombard’s Seafood Grille” in Universal Studios Florida.

Resorts and On-Site Perks

Walt Disney World Resorts

Disney offers a wide range of on-site, world-class resorts, categorized into Value, Moderate, Deluxe, and Deluxe Villas. Each resort is uniquely themed, from the budget-friendly Disney’s Pop Century Resort to the luxurious Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa.

Staying on Disney property comes with several perks:

• Early Theme Park Entry: Resort guests can enter any Disney park 30 minutes before the general public.
• Extended Evening Hours: Guests staying at Deluxe Resorts can enjoy select parks after hours on specific nights.
• Complimentary Transportation: Disney provides buses, monorails, boats, and the Skyliner gondola system to get around the parks and resorts.
• MagicBand+: Guests can use these for park entry, room access, and purchases.
• Immersive Theming: Resorts like Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort and Disney’s Art of Animation Resort provide unique, magical experiences.
• My Disney Experience App: The app experience at Walt Disney World is wonderful. You can do everything from check wait times to reserve dining, get into your room and check transportation times. It’s a very intuitive app with a good user experience. 

Trying to determine which Walt Disney World resort is best for your family? Check out the complete guide and worksheet!

Universal Studios Orlando Resorts

Universal also has a variety of on-site hotels, ranging from the budget-friendly Endless Summer Resort to the luxurious Loews Portofino Bay Hotel.

Staying at a Universal hotel includes great perks:

• Early Park Admission: Access to select attractions an hour before the parks open, including The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. The park with early admission is determined on a rotational basis, be sure to look into which resort opens early on which days while planning your trip. 
• Free Universal Express Pass: Guests staying at premier hotels like Loews Royal Pacific Resort receive complimentary Express Passes, allowing them to skip the regular lines on most rides.
• Complimentary Transportation: Options include water taxis, buses, and walking paths to the parks.
• Themed Accommodations: Resorts like Cabana Bay Beach Resort offer retro themes, while others like Portofino Bay feature Italian-inspired luxury.
• Convenient Location: All Universal hotels are close to the parks, with some within walking distance.

Skip The Line Passes Universal Studios vs Disney World 

In my opinion, this is something that works better at Universal Studios, though Disney is attempting to change their processes to make it a bit easier. They have also introduced a virtual queue for some rides. 

Disney Lightning Lane, Multi-Pass, and Premier Pass vs. Universal Express Pass

Disney World: Disney offers several options to help guests skip the lines:

• Lightning Lane: Access through Disney Genie+, a paid service that allows you to reserve entry to select attractions. Pricing starts at $15 per person, per day. 
• Individual Lightning Lanes Selection: Pay per ride for the most popular attractions, like “Rise of the Resistance” and “Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind”
  • Prices vary depending on the ride and time of year. 
• Premier Pass: Includes access to skip the line at every Lightning Lane attraction, once per day. Starting at $139 per person, per day. 
• Park Hopper Option: Allows guests to visit multiple parks in one day, but does not include any skip-the-line benefits. 

Universal Studios Orlando: Universal simplifies the skip-the-line process with its Express Pass options:

• Universal Express Pass: Skip the regular lines one time per participating ride. Pricing starts around $80 per person, per day.
• Unlimited Express Pass: Skip the lines as many times as you want for participating rides. Prices are higher but offer flexibility.
• Premier Hotel Guests: Guests staying at Loews Portofino Bay Hotel, Loews Royal Pacific Resort, and Hard Rock Hotel receive complimentary Unlimited Express Passes for the length of their stay. 

Transportation Options

Both resorts provide transportation and shuttle services from their resorts to the parks, which is a great benefit for on-site guests! 

Disney World Transportation Experience

Disney’s extensive transportation network makes it easy to navigate the 25,000-acre property. Options include:

• Buses: Connect resorts, parks, and Disney Springs.
• Monorail: Serves Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, and select resorts.
• Boats: Transport guests between resorts, Magic Kingdom, and EPCOT.
• Skyliner Gondolas: Connect EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and select resorts.

Pro Tip: The complete guide to Disney World transportation is a great reference to see everywhere you can go from each park and resort!

Universal Studios Orlando Transportation Options

Universal’s compact layout means transportation is simple and efficient:

• Water Taxis: Shuttle guests from on-site hotels to CityWalk and park entrances.
• Shuttle Buses: Transport guests between Universal resorts and parks.
• Walking Paths: Many hotels are within a short distance of the parks.

Entertainment and Extras

Disney World Experiences 

• Nighttime Spectaculars: Don’t miss “Happily Ever After” fireworks in Magic Kingdom, the EPCOT “Harmonious” show or “Fantasmic” in Hollywood Studios. 
• Parades: Daily parades feature your favorite characters, mainly within Magic Kingdom. Plus, a new nighttime parade is making it’s way to Magic Kingdom this year!
• Special Events: Seasonal offerings like Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party and Epcot’s International Flower & Garden Festival occur throughout the year.

Universal Studios Orlando Attractions

• Shows: Enjoy live performances like “The Bourne Stuntacular” or the interactive “Ollivanders Wand Shop.”
• Seasonal Events: Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights is a must for older kids and adults, while Grinchmas offers festive family fun.
• Interactive Wands: At The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, cast spells throughout the park with interactive wands.

Disney Springs vs. CityWalk

All About Disney Springs

Disney Springs is Disney World’s shopping, dining, and entertainment district. Disney Springs is between 10-20 minutes from each of the Walt Disney World resorts and Disney World theme parks. Highlights include:

• Dining: Options range from quick bites to upscale eateries like Chef Art Smith’s Homecomin’ and Morimoto Asia.
• Shopping: Features Disney-themed stores like World of Disney, as well as high-end retailers such as Coach and Zara.
• Entertainment: Enjoy live music, a dine-in movie theater, and unique experiences like the Aerophile hot air balloon ride.

Details You Need For CityWalk

CityWalk serves as Universal Orlando’s vibrant entertainment district. CityWalk is at the entrance of Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure theme parks.

Highlights of CityWalk include:

• Dining: Popular spots like Toothsome Chocolate Emporium, Voodoo Doughnut, and Margaritaville.
• Shopping: Offers a smaller selection of stores, with a focus on Universal-themed merchandise.
• Entertainment: Features a mini golf course, live music, and the iconic Hard Rock Café.

Comparing City Walk at Universal Studios vs. Disney World’s Disney Springs

• Atmosphere: Disney Springs offers a more family-friendly, relaxed vibe, while CityWalk leans slightly more toward nightlife and adult entertainment.
• Dining Variety: Both have excellent dining, but Disney Springs provides more upscale and diverse options.
• Cost: Disney Springs is free to enter and easily accessible via Disney transportation. CityWalk also offers free entry, but parking fees apply unless you are visiting during select hours.

Cost and Logistics

Disney World tends to be more expensive than Universal Studios, especially if you’re planning to visit multiple parks. However, Disney’s extensive transportation system makes getting around easy. Universal, while smaller, offers the convenience of being able to walk between its parks or take the Hogwarts Express.

Costs to consider in either park:

• Ticket prices: Universal Studios often has promotions for multi-day tickets where you could buy 2 day tickets and get 3 days free or something similar. Disney World ticket prices are based more on the time of year. 
• Vacation Packages: I highly recommend booking one of the vacation packages from either park. This will give you the best deal and inclusions. Universal Orlando Resort packages with tickets usually provide the additional days of free tickets, while Disney World packages could include things like free dining. 

Distance Between Universal Studios and Disney World: Disney World and Universal Studios Orlando are approximately 20 miles apart, about a 25-30 minute drive depending on traffic. Visitors often choose one destination per trip due to the time and effort required to travel between the two.

No matter which park you opt to visit, I highly recommend booking through a travel agent who specializes in the Orlando area parks. Travel Agents are free and they will be able to guide you along the way for the entire planning process. Deciding between Universal Studios vs. Disney World is just the start of decisions along the way for an Orlando theme park vacation, and they are there to help! 

Who Should Visit Each Park?

Now that you have all the details about the differences between Universal Studios vs Disney World, you can determine which park is right for your family vacation. 

Disney World: Ideal for families with young children, Disney fans, and those looking for a more magical, immersive experience. If you are going for more of a vacation rather than a trip to theme parks, Disney World could be the best way to have a little bit of both- especially if you stay in one of the Disney resorts. 

Universal Studios Orlando: Better for families with teens, thrill-seekers, and Harry Potter enthusiasts. The Universal parks are great, but have less to do if you are planning a vacation with a little kid in tow.  

Final Thoughts

It’s a tough choice between Universal Studios vs Disney World when planning a big family vacation!

If you’re traveling with younger kids or love classic Disney magic, Disney World is the way to go. The Disney parks are immersive, more extensive and have a wide variety of experiences and attractions for the whole family. The Universal theme parks might be a better fit if your family craves adventure and cutting-edge attractions and wants to hop around between thrill rides. Either way, you’re in for an unforgettable trip!